Look for domestic tickets at least two months before you're ready to fly. For international travel, search at least three months in advance. This will give you plenty of time to compare fares, watch prices fluctuate and make sure you get a good seat assignment before you have to make a decision.
Generally, the "sweet spot" for booking tickets is four to six weeks before your scheduled departure date. Prices usually increase steadily beginning 21 days ahead of travel, unless you catch a last-minute fare sale a few days before the flight for unsold seats.
Search around your desired dates of travel to find a better deal or more convenient flight times. If you're traveling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, you'll often get more options and better prices because these are the least busy travel days. Flying from another regional airport or a further connecting hub could also save you money and even time, if it means cutting out a connecting flight.
Many airlines offer refunds if fares go down after you purchase the tickets. Yapta.com can track your flights and alert you if this happens, allowing you to seek a refund for the difference in price.
Prices for tickets often jump on Thursdays or Fridays; travelers who book on weekends are the victims of these heavy price increases, but those who wait until Monday or Tuesday, when fare sales are announced, have better luck with prices.
Customer loyalty is often rewarded by carriers who give complimentary ticket upgrades to their most frequent fliers. If you collect frequent flier miles with one carrier or network of carriers, try to stick with these carriers when you travel.
